Johnstown



-1168401900600 Johnstown Common CouncilBusiness Meeting Council Chambers, City HallMonday, September 18, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m.MINUTESThis meeting was broadcast using Facebook Live. The public was able to view the meeting from the official City of Johnstown Facebook page: City of Johnstown, New YorkThe proceedings of this meeting were taped for the benefit of the City Clerk; the minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings, therefore the minutes are not a word-for-word transcript.CALL MEETING TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Amy Praught, MayorROLL CALL OF COUNCIL – Carrie M. Allen, City ClerkIN ATTENDANCE:?Amy Praught, Mayor?Thomas Herr, City Treasurer?Scott Jeffers, Council Member-at-Large ?Michael M. Albanese, City Attorney ?Bradley Hayner, Council Member Ward 1?Carrie M. Allen, City Clerk?Scott Miller, Council Member Ward 2?Bruce Heberer, Fire Chief?Eric Parker, Council Member Ward 3?David F. Gilbo, Chief of Police?Max Spritzer, Council Member Ward 4?Christopher J. Vose, City Engineer?Diedrie M. Roemer, Director, Senior Citizens ProgramABSENT – Scott Jeffers, Brad HaynerPUBLIC SESSION – N/APRESENTATIONS – N/A PUBLIC HEARINGS Mayor Praught opened the Public Hearing for the following at 6:02 p.m.:Code of Ordinances – No Parking; Court Street No comments or discussion.Mayor Praught closed the Public Hearing at 6:02 p.m.PROCLAMATION – N/AAPPROVE MINUTESAugust 21, 2023Motion to approve – Council Member MillerSeconded – Council Member SpritzerDiscussion: NoneAyes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)Abstain: 0APPROVE CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTSMotion to approve, upon review – Council Member Parker Seconded – Council Member SpritzerDiscussion: NoneAyes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)Abstain: 0REPORTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENTSReports are attached hereto and made part of the meeting minutes.DPWParker:paving of Linden Avenue. Vose stated he is going to ask for pricing from Empire Paving. Doesn’t have additional CHIPs money but have room in the street budget. sidewalks at intersections – Vose stated that they need to be ADA compliant. When we repave a street and it meets a crosswalk that must be addressed.Spritzer:steps on E. Montgomery and S. Perry – there will no longer be a crosswalk there. Southwest corner will cross Montgomery, side streets where there is still dirt, rocks, etc. – Vose stated National Grid is responsible, he will email and ask when that will be cleaned up and also as to when they will begin paving the areas that were tore up.Water Main Break on Miller Street – Vose stated repairs have been made. Boil water in effect until test results come back. Residents will be notified. TreasurerParker: asked for update on AUDs – Herr is still waiting on state approvaltax collection rate is at about 97%; thought that was good – people are paying their taxessales tax – best increase since FebruaryPoliceMiller:remarked at how quickly things were moving along with body cams. Gilbo stated has some administrative items to get in place, fitting equipment on vests, training. Code/Fire/EMTSpritzerasked Heberer how ambulance chooses what hospital to use. Heberer stated that typically heart attack and strokes go to Ellis and severe trauma to Albany Med. asked about landing zones. Heberer stated they don’t use property in the city; too many power lines. The airport is easier to land a helicopter.REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONSEric Parker; Joint Sewer Board sludge dryer grant submitted, score is similar to the last time of submission, should have answer by NovemberNew hire; engineer technicianMEO promotion; this individual will drive sludge to landfill. Not all new hires will be required to get a CDL.meeting with Gloversville and Johnstown to discuss personnel mattersBruce Heberer, Planning Board – No Meeting in SeptemberScott Miller, AssessorAny new homeowner who has not received their School Tax Bill, should contact the School Tax Collector at 518-762-4611 x3 or go to Infotax Online on the school website under the Budget and School Taxes tab for a copy of your bill. Any homeowner turning 65 in 2024 and currently receive the Basic STAR on their school tax bill may be eligible for the Enhanced STAR. Please contact Assessor’s Office at 518-736-4015 for the application.All exemptions are due March 1, 2024.The Assessor’s Office continues to enter sales and work on the 2024 roll.LOCAL LAW – N/AORDINANCE 4.Amend Code of Ordinances; Chapter 20, Section 20-202. No Parking Anytime – Court StreetPresented by Councilmember ParkerCouncilmember SpritzerDiscussion: NoneAyes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS – N/ARESOLUTIONS66.Re-appoint Catherine Levee to Board of Assessment ReviewPresented by Councilmember MillerCouncilmember SpritzerDiscussion: NoneAyes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)67.Accept proposal for the Door Replacement Project at the Water Treatment PlantsPresented by Councilmember ParkerCouncilmember SpritzerDiscussion: NoneAyes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)68.Accept proposal for the demolition of 31 Crescendoe RoadPresented by Councilmember SpritzerCouncilmember ParkerDiscussion: Spritzer asked why bid was so low. Vose stated they are closer than other companies that bid so that plays a factor on bid price. Miller asked if all material has to go to our landfill, Vose confirmed it does. City is picking up tipping fees. There is a lot of block and brick and considered clean fill. In order to keep costs down, Vose stated trying to use our resources as much as possible. Miller confirmed the company is basically knocking the building down. Ayes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)69.Accept proposal for the Roof replacement at the Department of Public Works garagePresented by Councilmember SpritzerCouncilmember ParkerDiscussion: Parker asked for scope of project. Vose stated that its pretty much the entire roof. Some decking on heated space of building may be salvageable. He looked in to replacing the building but cost could be upwards of 5-7 million dollars. Building will be pretty sound once roof is replaced. Quote is worst case scenario, maybe able to save some money but won’t know until they start project. Miller feels that the bid is a lump sum bid, so basically that is what the company will be paid regardless of findings. Vose would like to have the roof replaced this year, doesn’t think it will take another winter. Ayes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)70.Renewal of 5 year Agreement with NYS Unified Court System, court cleaning and minor repairs for the period April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2028Presented by Councilmember ParkerCouncilmember SpritzerDiscussion: NoneAyes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)71.Advertise for Public Hearing to amend the Code of Ordinances: Chapter 21; WaterPresented by Councilmember MillerCouncilmember SpritzerDiscussion: NoneAyes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)DISCUSSIONMayor stated that she and Clerk are currently working on promoting businesses in Johnstown “Community Spotlight” will appear on Facebook and Website. Any business wishing to be highlighted should contact the Clerk.ANNOUNCEMENTSFarmers Market; Senior Center parking lot – Tuesdays from 3-6pm through October 17th Harmony of Art; Main Street Park – Saturday, September 23rd 9am - 10pmJohnstown Historical Society; Haunted History Walking Tour – Friday, October 13th 5-9pmHarvest Festival; Main Street – Saturday, October 14th Business Meeting – Monday, October 16th @ 6pmCity offices closed on Columbus Day – Monday, October 9thEXECUTIVE SESSION Council Member at Large Spritzer made a motion to enter in to executive session at 6:33 p.m. for the following reasons:Will imperil public safety if disclosed; andSeconded – Council Member MillerDiscussion: NoneAyes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)Abstain: 0No formal action was taken during executive session.Council Member Miller made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:24 p.m.Seconded – Council Member ParkerDiscussion – NoneAyes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)Abstain: 0MOTION TO ADJOURN at 7:25 p.m.Motion to Approve – Council Member SpritzerSeconded – Council Member ParkerDiscussion: NoneAyes: 3Noes: 0Absent: 2 (Jeffers, Hayner)Abstain: 0Respectfully submitted,Carrie M. Allen, City Clerk ................
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